Pep Guardiola: Manchester City Manager Reveals Why Erling Haaland Is One of His Greatest Ever Strikers

• Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that Erling Haaland is one of the best strikers he's ever coached
• Haaland has played less than five months in England but has already scored 15 league goals
• The Spanish coach has managed some of the best strikers in the game, like Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Villa

Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o, Sergio Aguero, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Villa and Thierry Henry. Those are the big-name strikers that Pep Guardiola has coached.

The Spanish coach says that Manchester City hitman Erling Haaland belongs in that group and numbers back that claim.

Haaland is the hottest striker in football at the moment. 20 goals in 13 matches is ridiculous, even for Guardiola. 15 of those goals are in the Premier League, and Haaland's done that in just nine matches.

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The above strikers Guardiola has coached were incredible in their prime. Barring any injuries, Haaland can get to that level and even surpass them.

Guardiola hails Haaland as 'one of the best'

According to ESPN, the 51-year-old said the Norwegian is undoubtedly one of his best hitmen.

"He is one of the best. I have many very, very good strikers and Erling is one of them. He understands quickly and he is a nice guy. He is able to do this for the team, but we need to work together and that has happened. I speak a lot about him, but sometimes I should not have to because the numbers, they do this."

Man City are targeting Premier League and Champions League glory this season and with a true number 9 in their ranks, those goals are achievable.

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At his current strike rate, Haaland is on pace to score 71 Premier League goals if he plays every minute, according to Sky Sports.

Reporter asks Guardiola for a selfie

Sports Brief earlier reported on Pep Guardiola agreeing to a reporter's request to take a selfie with him, before his Champions League press conference.

The reporter waited until the City manager was getting ready to answer questions, before asking him for the picture. The Spaniard was baffled by the request, but he wore a good smile and took the photo.